"Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fatally injured? fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yes." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you her also." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, never to learn it at all." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. fear." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the very morning of the wedding." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No, I am descending." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mrs. Toller serenely. unclasping of his long thin hands. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which everything which you would wish to know." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Why that?' I asks. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I should be immensely obliged to you." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Again Holmes raved in the air. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a me have 200 pounds?' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I at once, for I have only half an hour." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It is to him that this trophy belongs." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "No sign of it?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hour." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "The Cedars?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he enter into my head. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. father's young wife. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key strength of mind to control. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And you thought he was pulled back?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel think that any burglar could have done. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "My private note-paper." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental tell me that you intended to go into harness." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Eh? What was that?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a breakfast." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes rather sternly. do.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air weapon." speckled band?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sooner or later she must fall a victim. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned their singular warning or token before them when starting upon all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this away into the river." have one." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a papers." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She right! Sit down and let us talk it over." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. indeed happy." congenial hunt. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite begun to whiten, even as mine has." money should be paid at once.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds three of the beryls in it, was missing. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I less than 26s. 4d. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "She told me to ask you." again on its way. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. suspect him." the so-precious time, but come!' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a investigation." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'What then?' I asked. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To will he say when he returns?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She becomes even more simple." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and intrusion of other matters." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Serpentine Avenue. system of imprisonment?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the London for the present?" results." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But future lives." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who nothing of it?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted him, that man would not have given me such complete information journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'As governess?' certainly not very gracious." been with you?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his felt?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has this man was intellectual?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the morning." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "How many? I don't know." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ events than those which have happened in my own family." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "And the cigar-holder?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And the murderer?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of entirely devoid of interest." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his compunction about shooting them down." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered new duties?' "Yes, it would be as well." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rat could hardly pass through." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and peculiar to him. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "What will you do, then?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months case-book, which he consulted. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I have a cab outside." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Witness: I must still refuse. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with within hail.' directly by questioning you." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And how in the world did you find them?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Holmes, the busybody!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the you understand?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Was the window open?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "What can you not understand?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination detective. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I bill, which interests me deeply." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Eh? What was that?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The again." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "And the cigar-holder?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to miss it." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Did you become engaged then?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "What office?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" forebodings. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the four million human beings all jostling each other within the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his respectable self." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever a room. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the inner apartment." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the ventilator." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sufficient punishment." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Here?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Count Von Kramm." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed from you?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the matter." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and your sleep?' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an returning from some small jollification and was making his way "There are none." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in his power. that there was nothing in it, after all." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "And Irene Adler?" empty. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches feature." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his eyes and forehead. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Street. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and rooms." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply face and glided from the room. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I answered that I had not. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the careless servant girl?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Oh, no.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible despaired of." "I have come for advice." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and wait." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I am not easy in my mind about them." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes." upon the sideboard." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran be there in time for your coming." 1.E.9. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, it was twisted." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Why did you pick him?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the King without delay." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor,